Job Description Gulf of Mexico Alliance Gulf Regional Training Coordinator for Coastal Decision-makers Position Description: The Gulf Regional Training Coordinator is a full-time, grant-funded contract position that will be housed at the Weeks Bay Foundation office in Fairhope, Alabama. The training coordinator will work with the Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserves’ (NERRs) Coastal Training Programs (CTP) in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas to link the goals and objectives of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (Alliance) Priority Issue Teams with the training and information needs of local communities. Additionally, the coordinator will work with NERR CTPs to design and facilitate a series of targeted professional workshops across each of the Gulf States. These projects will engage local communities, raise awareness about the Alliance, and result in activities that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico and its citizens. This position will be grant funded for a minimum of one year with three years of funding anticipated. At a minimum, the Gulf Regional Training Coordinator will be expected to: A) Gather local and regional input and assess existing documents to determine the needs of both coastal communities and the Alliance Priority Issue Teams; B) Participate in at least three (3) GOMA Priority Issue Team meetings, the Environmental Education Network meeting, the GOMA All-Hands meeting, and travel to necessary meetings as required; C) Identify opportunities to provide professional decision-maker training on Alliance priorities using information gathered from Alliance states, Priority Issue Teams, and NERR Coastal Training Program needs assessments; D) Conduct a minimum of four (quarterly) conference calls with the project Steering Committee to identify Alliance related outcomes and activities from all five NERRS and discuss plans for upcoming events and activities; E) Work with NERR CTP Coordinators to develop and facilitate at least 5 professional and technical workshops prior to September 30, 2008. These workshops should target coastal decision-makers and directly support the Priority Issue Teams; F) Maintain a website for the project to advertise trainings, post results of trainings, and; G) Perform other tasks as needed. This project will result in a methodology for conducting workshops consistently across the Gulf States that provides science-based information to coastal decision-makers. This model for sharing successful strategies from location to location will involve local communities in a meaningful way. The five NERRS on the Gulf Coast (Mission-Aransas in Texas, Grand Bay in Mississippi, Weeks Bay in Alabama, Apalachicola and Rookery Bay in Florida) will host most of the workshops at their facilities and other locations in coastal counties within their regions of service. The workshops will require coordination with and/or training by NOAA partners such as the Coastal Services Center, Gulf Coast Service Center, Coastal Restoration Center, Sea Grant Programs and other NOAA programs that are involved with Alliance support. Other partners such as the National Estuary Programs in Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida may also collaborate on workshops to expand the geographic scope of the audiences and communities reached.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, or environmental education, land use or conservation planning, marine or coastal science or policy, communication, a related field or commensurate experience; Excellent communication and organizational skills including the ability to translate science for professionals and non-scientists including coastal decision-makers; Proficiency in computer programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel; and a willingness to participate in the development and management of internet resources such as a homepage for the program; Experience and skills with working with diverse audiences including facilitation and outreach experience; Ability to organize meetings, events, workshops and/or conferences, including program evaluation and project management experience; General knowledge of coastal issues, science and/or policy; Ability to work with limited direct supervision while accommodating the preferences and direction from off-site coordinators with whom he/she will be working regularly; Valid driver’s license, with three year clean driving record; and Ability to travel within and out of state. Preferred Qualifications: A Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, or environmental education, land use or conservation planning, marine or coastal science or policy, communication, a related field; Experience and skills related to web development and management including but not limited to graphical design, coding, multimedia resources, and search engine optimization (SOE) protocol; Advanced knowledge of coastal issues, science, and/or policy; and Previous experience working with agencies and organizations in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Preference will be given to candidates who are located near (or are willing to re-locate to) the Fairhope area. Physical Requirements: Moderate Work: May frequently exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 25 pounds and/or occasionally exert force equivalent to lifting up to approximately 50 pounds. These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations may be possible. Salary Range: $33,000-40,000 commensurate with experience The Gulf Alliance Regional CTP Coordinator will work at Weeks Bay Foundation under supervision by the Weeks Bay and Grand Bay CTP coordinators. The job will require frequent in and out of state
travel. The position is a contract position beginning immediately with funding for at least one year with the possibility of three years and will be subject to all standard requirements for employment. In addition to salary based upon experience, a stipend is provided for benefits and other fringe. How to Apply: Send resume including employment history with a description of prior paid and non-paid job-related work experience; education including high school, date of diploma or GED; college/university major(s), type and year of degrees received; any other degrees or certificates; and a minimum of three references, at least one of which is from your professional experience. Candidates are encouraged to provide supplemental information in their experience statements and cover letter which will be taken into consideration in the selection process. Applicants will receive notification that their application has been received. Submit resume, three references and a cover letter of interest to: Walter C. Ernest, IV Executive Director Weeks Bay Foundation PO Box 731 Fairhope, AL 36533 Or email to wbrf@bellsouth.net Applications must be postmarked or emailed by January 26, 2009. The Weeks Bay Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and will fill positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex age, marital status, or handicap.